Harrow Council one of handful in UK to get better

Harrow has moved up to an overall score of 3 (from 2 out of 4 last year) and is described as performing well - an improvement for the second year running and the highest score ever achieved in the borough. The Audit Commission said that this was awarded because "important services are performing well and the Council has a wide range of good improvements".

The watchdog also noted that the council had managed a difficult financial position, made substantial savings and invested in priority areas with over two-thirds of services now improving.

In particular, in the watchdog's new and harder assessment of the council they said:

Delivering Cleaner and Safer Streets: "Front-line services such as refuse collection, recycling and street cleaning have improved....People worry less about crime and anti-social behaviour"

Build Stronger Communities: "Harrow Council values its specific and unique identity and does not have serious problems with the level of respect people show to each other."

Improve Support for Vulnerable People: "The Council provides good support for adult social care and has invested extra money". The Adult Services score has moved up to 3 out of 4 for the first time ever and Children's Services continues to perform well, particularly the performance of our schools.

Councillor David Ashton, Leader of the Council said: "This announcement from the Audit Commission clearly evidences that Harrow Council is getting better. We have done this by sorting out our finances and investing in the key areas that residents tell us matter most; delivering cleaner and safer streets, building stronger communities and improving the support for vulnerable people.

"We know that we don't always get things right and still face a number of challenges - including the need to save £50m over the next three years - however, we want to make Harrow Council one of the best in London. We intend to continue to make improvements in every area of our work, listening to residents' needs and reporting back on what we've changed."

Michael Lockwood, Chief Executive said: "This builds on the momentum from last year with the Audit Commission recognising that the vast majority of our services are improving and we are providing good value for money to our residents.

"Our next challenge is to go from a good to an excellent council. This will be particularly tough with the effects of the recession but we hope that our 'Better Deal for Residents' programme will transform the way we work and enable us to deliver even better services to our residents for less money."